Criminal raps filed vs 4 Abu Sayyaf members nabbed in Zamboanga City

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) on Wednesday filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) a criminal complaint against four alleged members of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf group.

Facing a case for illegal possession of explosive devices under Republic Act 9516 are Jainab Ibrahim, 29; Khadeeja Tawasil Jainal, 24; Abdurarafi Jalas Danial, 28; and Fatma Musa Narimen, 45.

The suspects were brought to the DOJ for inquest proceedings following their arrest last Tuesday in Zamboanga City. Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Olive Torrevillas conducted the inquest proceedings and will resolve the complaint of the PNP.

The police said the suspects are believed to be wives of Abu Sayyaf commanders in charge of the bandits’ financial transactions, guns and bomb parts procurement, and arranging the travels of foreign terrorists into the country.

READ: 4 wives of Abu Sayyaf commanders arrested

The women worked under Abu Sayyaf leader Hajan Sawadjaan, the main suspect in the January 27 bombing of a Roman Catholic cathedral that killed 23 people in nearby Sulu province’s capital town of Jolo.

Sawadjaan is reportedly the current leader of small armed groups aligned with the Islamic State group in Mindanao. Authorities believe that he may be harboring at least one more potential suicide attacker, an Arab terrorist, in his jungle encampment near the remote Patikul town in Sulu. /ee